Rotary Disk Patents (Class 15/28)
  • Publication number: 20030229956
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for a portable drain cleaning machine includes a polygonal adapter mounted to a motor output shaft through a threaded interface. A polygon adapter threads over the motor output shaft in a locked male/female relationship to transmit rotation therebetween. A polygonal outer segment of the polygonal adapter telescopes into a polygonal inner segment of a sleeve mounted to the drum. The sleeve slides into a fixed cylindrical member and over the polygonal adapter to removably mount the drum. Rotation of the motor output shaft rotates the polygonal adapter which rotates the sleeve and the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: Randall Paul Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20030226224
    Abstract: A toothbrush design which more effectively permits bristle penetration into the spaces between tooth and gum for removal of plaque and food debris lodged within these spaces. The toothbrush design incorporates a rotatable brush disc having a plurality of radially outward extending bristles but where the width of the bristle disc and number of bristles are preferably limited so that the bristle tips can penetrate into the space between tooth and gum and preferably be of sufficient length to penetrate to the bottom of the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: Soo-Woong Lee
  • Patent number: 6658686
    Abstract: A toothbrush design which more effectively permits bristle penetration into the spaces between tooth and gum for removal of plaque and food debris lodged within these spaces. The toothbrush design incorporates a rotatable brush disc having a plurality of radially outward extending bristles but where the width of the bristle disc and number of bristles are preferably limited so that the bristle tips can penetrate into the space between tooth and gum and preferably be of sufficient length to penetrate to the bottom of the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Soo-Woong Lee
  • Publication number: 20030221269
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an electric toothbrush having a replaceable tuft assembly. The electric toothbrush comprises a main body, an electric motor mounted in the main body, a support member coupled to the main body, a tuft assembly which is releasably attachable to the support member and a transmission that is operatively connected to the electric motor to provide rotational motion to the tuft assembly. The support member has a first connection member and the tuft assembly has a second connection member. One of the connection members has an elongate body with a groove on its outer surface and the other connection member has at least one protrusion that is adapted to releasably engage the groove. In another aspect, the toothbrush may further comprise an adaptor that is releasably attachable to the tuft assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventor: Qingping Zhuan
  • Publication number: 20030221270
    Abstract: An electrical dentifrice dispensing toothbrush using a replaceable bristle unit with a permanent drive head and handle is described. The replaceable bristle unit consists of a rotary bristle element and a stationary bristle element that has an opening for the flow of dentifrice material through the drive head. The bristle unit is snap-on latched to the side walls of the drive head. Opposing tabs which also function as pressure sensors on the bristle unit are pressed toward each other to release the bristle unit. A linkage is used to convert the rotation of the drive shaft to a planar oscillation that enables a compact drive head configuration. The dentifrice dispensing is accomplished by using a rotary solenoid for actuating an internal button that applies pumping pressure to the dentifrice material. As a benefit to arthritis suffers, no external squeezing action is involved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventor: Youti Kuo
  • Publication number: 20030221268
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush comprised of a handle and a neck; the handle containing a swing link connected to a motor and a cell cabinet; the neck also containing a crank to drive a brush head and another swing link abutted to its counterpart in the handle characterized by that a rotor being inserted to the motor shaft; a “£S”-shape member inserted to the swing link in the handle; the “£S”-shape member being engaged by friction due to reciprocal impact from the rotor thus to drive the swing link in the neck; and the crank further driving the brush head to execute lateral swing at an angle of thirty degrees to achieve the optimal tooth brushing effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventor: Yuan Huang Lin
  • Patent number: 6654979
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush comprises a handle and a head, characterized in that the head has a rubbery cleaning element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care, USA, a division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Calabrese
  • Publication number: 20030213078
    Abstract: A fish tank cleaning device comprising an elongated telescoping housing and telescoping handle having an electric motor and batteries in a waterproof housing to drive a rotatable disk and releasable cleaning member thereon positioned outside of the housing to rotate in a plane that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated housing and handle. The telescoping handle may be extended far enough for the lower end of the housing having the rotatable disk and cleaning member to reach the bottom of the fish tank while the upper end of the handle is above the upper edge of the fish tank where it can be held by the user above the water in the tank and manipulated by the user to position the rotating cleaning member against the surfaces of the fish tank to be cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: David P. Kristofek
  • Patent number: 6647577
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a handle, a neck having a longitudinal axis and a brush head mounted to the neck and including bristles that rotate about an axis that is at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the neck. Upon activation of a motor, the bristles rotate about the acute axis and tips of the bristles always move in a direction away from the user's gumline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Kwong Pui Tam
  • Patent number: 6645309
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of imparting a wobbling motion to a planar surface. In one embodiment the wobbling motion is imparted to a brush which can be used to clean uneven surfaces efficiently and easily. In another embodiment the wobbling motion is imparted to a brush which can be used to clean surfaces in confined spaces and reducing the risk of scratching or marring areas in the confined spaces. In another embodiment a method of cleaning a surface using a wobbling apparatus is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Harold R. Myers
  • Publication number: 20030196283
    Abstract: A powered toothbrush include a head containing a rotating or oscillating first bristle carrier and also containing a second bristle carrier movably connected to said head, which second bristle carrier may include elastomeric walls for enhanced cleaning and may include a weakened section to permit it to at least partially collapse during a brushing motion to couture to the teeth in use for enhanced cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Eyal Eliav, John J. Gatzemeyer
  • Publication number: 20030192139
    Abstract: A toothbrush head containing a first oscillating or rotating bristle bearing section in combination with a static bristle bearing section fixedly mounted to said head, wherein there are at least two bristles located on said static section which are oriented at different angles to the face thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph Edward Fattori, John J. Gatzemeyer, Gerardus W. H. Janssen
  • Publication number: 20030182749
    Abstract: A power tool in accordance with the invention includes a housing having a handle connected to the housing in at least one position and extending about the rear of the housing with first and second end portions positioned at least in part off the sides of the housing such that the handle allows an operator a range of locations about the housing to facilitate an effective two-handed grip to maintain control over the power tool. The power tool may include an actuator, such as a switch, to regulate power supplied to the tool's motor, and may automatically shift to deactivate the power tool when an unintentional impact above a predetermined magnitude is received by the power tool. The power tool may also include a recess for maintaining an accessory tool and may be designed so that it is both statically and dynamically balanced in order to provide a balanced tool both at rest and during operation, and in order to reduce the amount of vibration experienced by an operator during use of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher T. Boyer, John T. Gerritsen, Mark R. Lytell, Joel G. Delman, Peter J. Kopec
  • Publication number: 20030182744
    Abstract: The head of a toothbrush includes a tuft block having bristles wherein the tuft block is moved in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the head. A second tuft block having bristles is a vibrating section which is moved in and out in a direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the head. If desired, the head may also include a fixed section with fixed bristles. The movement of the first tuft block may be an oscillating rotational movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph Edward Fattori, Robert Moskovich
  • Publication number: 20030182747
    Abstract: A head for a toothbrush including a neck and, first and second sets of one or more bristles each. The first and second sets are indirectly supported by the neck and movable relative to each other such that at least one component of this relative movement causes the bristle(s) of the first set to be raised and/or lowered relative to the bristle(s) in the second set. The first and second sets of bristles both are movable relative to the neck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: The Gillette Company
    Inventor: Joseph A. DePuydt
  • Publication number: 20030182746
    Abstract: The head of a toothbrush includes a tuft block having bristles wherein the tuft block is moved in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the head. A second tuft block having bristles is a vibrating section which is moved in and out in a direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the head. If desired, the head may also include a fixed section with fixed bristles. The movement of the first tuft block may be an oscillating rotational movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Joseph Edward Fattori, Robert Moskovich
  • Publication number: 20030182743
    Abstract: The head of a toothbrush includes a first tuft block having bristles and a second tuft block having bristles. The first and second tuft blocks are mounted for counter-rotational or counter-rotational oscillating movement in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the head. The toothbrush head also includes a third section having bristles extending outwardly from the head to provide an extended field of bristles to support an elongated ribbon of toothpaste and for enhanced cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: Colgate-Palmoltve Company
    Inventors: John J. Gatzemeyer, Thomas Mintel
  • Patent number: 6622333
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a pneumatic-operated toothbrush incorporates a pump that a user may utilize to pump are into and pressurize air in a reservoir. The reservoir is attached to a pneumatic motor, which utilizes the pressurized air inside the reservoir to rotate a drive shaft. Attached to the end of the drive shaft is a plurality of bristles that rotate when the drive shaft is rotating. The motor will continue to rotate the bristles as long as the pressure inside the reservoir is sufficient enough to force the air into the pneumatic motor. When the motor stops rotating the bristles, the user can pump air back inside the reservoir for continued use. It is important to note that the pneumatic toothbrush for the present invention is a self-contained device, meaning that the reservoir, motor and pump are incorporated into a single toothbrush. In addition the present invention does not use batteries or other electrical elements to power the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Rehco, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Rehkemper, Jeffrey Rehkemper, Charles Hartlaub, Todd Hannon
  • Publication number: 20030167584
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a handle, a neck having a longitudinal axis and a brush head mounted to the neck and including bristles that rotate about an axis that is at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the neck. Upon activation of a motor, the bristles rotate about the acute axis and tips of the bristles always move in a direction away from the user's gumline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventor: Kwong Pui Tam
  • Publication number: 20030163882
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush includes a handle having an electric motor, a head, and a neck extending between the handle and the head. The head has first end disposed adjacent to the neck and a second end opposite the first end. The head has a first bristle holder with a plurality of bristles disposed therein and a second bristle holder having a plurality of bristles disposed therein. The first bristle holder is located at the second end of said head. A rotating shaft is operatively connected to the electric motor and to the first moving bristle holder to reciprocate the first moving bristle holder in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, Douglas A. Gall, Patrick W. Brown
  • Publication number: 20030163881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toothbrush head for an electric toothbrush with a brush head holder on which a bristle holder having a bristle cluster is movably arranged. It is provided that locking means are provided on the attachment section of the brush head holder, which, when the brush head holder is pushed onto the handpiece of the toothbrush with a linear, axial motion engage with the engaging means provided thereon. In order to achieve more efficient cleaning, it is further provided that several groups of bristle tufts are fixed on the motorized drivable bristle holder, and are inclined in different directions, and have different cross-sections, preferably also varying from the circular cross-sections, in order to better penetrate the gaps between teeth and effectively remove plaque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Thomas Fritsch, Michael Harms, Peter Hilfinger, Lars Lieberwirth, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20030154568
    Abstract: A brush head for a motor-driven toothbrush includes a multitude of bristles and a plate shaped bristle support to which the bristles are attached. The brush head is connectable to a motor-driven toothbrush for oscillatory rotation and translation. The bristle support is divided into several bristle support segments that are movable relative to each other. In particular, diametrically opposed bristle segments are tiltable on a shared tilt axis or on separate tilt axes arranged in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the brush head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Bernhard Boland, Georges Driesen, Michael Drossler, Norbert Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20030140436
    Abstract: The head of a powered toothbrush includes a first tuft block mounted for rotational oscillation about an axis generally perpendicular to the outer surface of the head, and a second tuft block having fixed bristles or bristles independently movable by being mounted on an elastomeric base. The second tuft block oscillates perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the head and in an in and out direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the head. A third stationary block may also be mounted on the head of the powered toothbrush. The bristles on the first, second, and third tuft blocks may be of various lengths, colors and stiffness, and may be mounted perpendicularly to or at an angle to the outer surface of the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: John J. Gatzemeyer, Eduardo Jimenez
  • Publication number: 20030140437
    Abstract: A powered toothbrush refill head combines a typical round oscillating or primary tuft block which oscillates in a rotational manner with a secondary tuft block. The secondary tuft block may be oscillated in a rotational manner or may oscillate linearly back and forth in the same direction as the handle of the toothbrush. The secondary tuft block could be in the form of a pair of side by side plates mounted on the head adjacent to the round oscillating block. The invention could also be practice where the secondary tuft block is in the form of a plurality of sets of rows of bristles mounted for back and forth movement in a direction perpendicular to the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Eyal Eliav, Kyoungeun Ahn, John J. Gatzemeyer
  • Publication number: 20030135940
    Abstract: An motorized electric toothbrush (10) includes a removable brush head (16) and a switch (12) that allows the toothbrush (10) to be used in an “automatic” mode. The “automatic” mode provides for intermittent motorized operation, such that when the brush head (16) contacts the operator's teeth, a second switch (20) is automatically actuated and the motor (14) engaged. The brush head (16) is easily removed for replacement when the bristles become worn or allow use of the toothbrush (10) by multiple users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Mordechai Lev, Roman S. Ferber, John E. Nemazi
  • Publication number: 20030131427
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush has a brush head which is mounted in a movable manner, and a drive for producing an oscillating operating movement in the brush head. The drive includes a cyclically movable drive part and a follower part. The follower part is biased against the drive part so that the follower part follows the drive part's cyclic drive movement. A sensor determines the brush head's contact pressure by sensing the extent of coupling between the follower part and the drive part, and determining the contact pressure of the brush head based on the extent of coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Alexander Hilscher, Hansjorg Reick
  • Publication number: 20030126700
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush having a handle which houses a motor and a toothbrush member. The toothbrush member is configured for coupling with the handle. The toothbrush member has a plurality of brushes that rotate in opposite directions to enhance teeth cleaning, plaque removal and gum prophylaxis. Two separate switches are provided, one providing momentary operation and the other continuous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Johnny Jeng, Taer Mandry, Whiter Shieh
  • Publication number: 20030126699
    Abstract: An electrically driven toothbrush has a rotatable shaft with a cam preferably at a remote end of the shaft, which fits into a slot in a bristle holder. The holder is mounted for rotation in a toothbrush head. When the shaft rotates cam describes a circle and drivingly engages the slot to cause the holder to vibrate in a first brushing motion. A second bristle holder is also driven by the shaft, for a second kind of brushing motion. The second bristle holder is driven through and engagement with a portion of the remote end and/or with one or more additional cams or cam portions included on the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, Douglas A. Gall, Patrick W. Brown
  • Patent number: 6588042
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush section (2) for an electric toothbrush (1), having a carrier tube (4) to which is fitted a bristle carrier (5) comprising a plurality of bristles (6). The carrier tube (4) is adapted to plug onto a mount (7) of a hand piece (3) of the electric toothbrush (1). Provision is made for spring elements (14) arranged between the carrier tube (4) and the mount (7). Noises and vibrations are thereby reduced when the electric toothbrush (1) is in the activated condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Bruan GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Fritsch, Hansjörg Reick
  • Publication number: 20030121114
    Abstract: A computer screen dusting cloth affixable to a computer monitor case having a reel capable of winding a tether thereon. The tether is attached at a distal end to a monitor wiping cloth. The reel has a wound position with the tether wound upon it and an extended position when it is unwound from the tether. The reel is continuously biased toward the wound position but is locked to the extended position once the user pulls the attached cloth and extends the tether. This allows uninhibited use of the cloth on the monitor. A lock release in the form of a button communicating through the reel housing allows the user to wind up the tether automatically after use by a simple press of the button and storing the cloth attached to the monitor by the tether and real holding tether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: David Waite
  • Patent number: 6581233
    Abstract: An electrically operable toothbrush, in particular an electrically operable toothbrush which includes an oscillatingly rotatable brush head, with the brush head being connected with a drive shaft, so as to be supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis. An electric motor is arranged in a handgrip of the toothbrush and a gearing having the input thereof connected with the electric motor and the output thereof with the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Perfect Steam Appliance Ltd.
    Inventor: Rocky Cheng
  • Patent number: 6581234
    Abstract: The present invention relates to replaceable dental brush units useful in an electric toothbrush. In particular, the invention provides for a replaceable dental brush unit useful in an electric toothbrush that uses gear links for connecting and driving motions of bristle head by motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventors: Jin Po Lee, Cheng-Chieh Chiang
  • Publication number: 20030106175
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a handle, a bristle head and a neck extending from the handle to the bristle head. A drive shaft extends through the neck to the bristle head. A motor is situated within the handle and has a pair of spaced recesses and an output shaft situated between the recesses. A reduction gearbox receives torque from the output shaft of the motor and transmits it to the drive shaft at a reduced speed. The gearbox has a base plate having a pair of projections extending into the recesses of the motor, a cover plate fixed to the base plate and at least one gear set between the base plate and the cover plate to transmitting torque from the motor to the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Fast Clean Limited
    Inventor: Chun Shun Lam
  • Patent number: 6575924
    Abstract: A device (1) for the treatment of a region of a body comprises the following components, i.e.: a housing (2) which can be held in one hand, a tool (10) provided for treating the region of the body, drive means (14) for driving the tool (10), and compression force definition means (65) for defining a desired compression force obtaining between the tool (10) and the region of a body under treatment, as well as adjustment means (66) accommodated in the housing (2) for adjusting the range for a desired compression force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Dirk Hendrik Wevers, Arthur Putzer, Roland Stampf, Bernd Kruschitz
  • Patent number: 6574820
    Abstract: A head for a toothbrush including a neck and, first and second sets of one or more bristles each. The first and second sets are indirectly supported by the neck arid movable relative to each other such that at least one component of this relative movement causes the bristle(s) of the first set to be raised and/or lowered relative to the bristle(s) in the second set. The first and second sets of bristles both are movable relative to the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Joseph A. DePuydt, Bernhard Boland, Michael Stopler, Thomas Fritsch
  • Publication number: 20030097723
    Abstract: A transmission device of electric toothbrush includes a handle assembly, a brush assembly, and a transmission mechanism. The handle assembly has a shaft coupled to the brush assembly so that the brush assembly is rotatable about the handle assembly. The transmission mechanism is mounted on the handle assembly and comprising a coupling member, a transmission shaft, the coupling member being coupled to the brush assembly so as to move together, a groove on the coupling member, and a transmission rod at one bent end of the transmission shaft being engaged within the groove. Hence, the brush assembly is operative to rotate and vibrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Ming-Kuei Li
  • Publication number: 20030097724
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrically-driven portable dirt scrubber which is portable, and conveniently usable for diverse portions of the body while effectively scrubbing off foreign matters from the skin without any damage to the skin, thereby keeping the skin clean while providing a massage effect. The dirt scrubber includes a main body having a handle configured to be grasped by the user, a connecting assembly connected at one end thereof to the handle and configured to be longitudinally adjustable in length, and a head pivotally coupled to the other end of the connecting assembly, a power supply mounted in the main body and charged with electric power supplied from an external power source, a motor configured to be driven by electric power supplied from the power supply in accordance with a drive signal, thereby rotating the head, and a contact member attached to the outer surface of the head, and adapted to remove foreign matters from the skin of the user in accordance with rotation of the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Chan Seok Park
  • Patent number: 6564940
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a head having a moving portion, a handle, and shaft between the head and the handle. A body portion is hollow and further includes a motor operative to generate motion for driving the moving portion. A battery is located within the hollow section for powering the motor. A first switch, operatively connected to the motor provides momentary operation of the toothbrush. Optionally, a second switch provides for continuous operation of the toothbrush. The first switch can be operated while the toothbrush is in a toothbrush package, such as, for example, a plastic blister pack. A consumer can momentarily observe the operation of the toothbrush before purchasing the toothbrush. The consumer cannot operate the second switch and is thereby prevented from leaving the toothbrush in a battery draining operational mode for extended periods of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
  • Publication number: 20030084526
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush is disclosed. The electric toothbrush includes a body having an interior hollow region for retaining a motor, one or more batteries, and a drive mechanism. The toothbrush includes multiple bristle carriers. Each of the bristle carriers undergoes some type of movement and is driven by the motor. Various combinations of movement of the bristle carriers are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Co.
    Inventors: Patrick W. Brown, Douglas A. Gall
  • Publication number: 20030084525
    Abstract: An electrically driven toothbrush has a rotatable shaft with a remote cam, which fits into a slot in a bristle holder. The holder is mounted for rotation in a toothbrush head. When the shaft rotates the remote end describes a circle and drivingly engages the slot to cause the holder to vibrate in a first brushing motion. A second bristle holder is driven by the first bristle holder, for a complimentary brushing motion. The second bristle holder is driven through and engagement with a pin or cam extending from the first bristle holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, Douglas A. Gall, Patrick W. Brown
  • Publication number: 20030084528
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush includes a handle having a motor disposed therein, a head having a longitudinal axis, and a neck disposed between the handle and the head. First and second bristle holders are associated with the head. The first bristle holder oscillates or rotates. The second bristle holder is reciprocates in generally the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the head but does not rotate or oscillate. The motor is operatively connected to the first and second bristle holders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Geoffrey Chan, Wang Ping, Lawrence A. Blaustein, Douglas A. Gall, Patrick W. Brown
  • Publication number: 20030084527
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush is disclosed. The electric toothbrush includes a body having an interior hollow region for retaining one or more motors, batteries, and drive mechanisms. The toothbrush includes multiple bristle carriers. Each of the bristle carriers undergoes some type of movement and is driven by the one or more motors and drive mechanisms. Various combinations of movement of the bristle carriers are described. And, numerous drive train mechanisms are disclosed for achieving the noted motions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Co.
    Inventors: Patrick W. Brown, Douglas A. Gall
  • Publication number: 20030079305
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush is disclosed in which a brush body is simultaneously oscillated and reciprocated for brushing every gap between teeth. The electric toothbrush includes a casing main body, an arm extending above the casing main body, a brush body arranged in a top end of the arm, and an ultrasonic motor arranged in a top end inside of the arm for driving the brush body. An output shaft of the ultrasonic motor and the brush body are connected to each other by connecting piece. In this construction, the brush body is movable along the output shaft. The electric toothbrush further includes a reciprocating mechanism, which is provided between the arm and a holder of the brush body, and which reciprocates the brush body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Daisuke Takahata, Hidekiyo Suginoya, Hirohiko Maruyama
  • Publication number: 20030079306
    Abstract: A trowel includes a blade, a handle having two ends formed integral with the blade with such as a molding or a forging process. An outer cover is disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the handle by such as a molding process for allowing the users to comfortably grasp the handle. The ends of the handle are formed integral with two seats and two ramps of the blade, and each has one or more notches for receiving bulges of the outer cover and for solidly securing the outer cover onto the handle and for preventing the outer cover from moving relative to the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Chiung Yueh Hsu
  • Publication number: 20030074751
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a brush head to which there is pivotally mounted a main bristle holder. Extending from the brush head is an auxiliary bristle holder which can oscillate in unison with the main bristle holder or in contra-rotational unison with the main bristle holder to increase efficiency of the toothbrush in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Ka Shing Wu
  • Publication number: 20030066147
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary toothbrush as an improvement for the conventional toothbrush. The rotary toothbrush includes a toothbrush bar having a grip part (1), a neck part (2) and a head part (3). At least of rotary toothbrush plates (4, 5) can be installed on head part (3) of the toothbrush bar to rotate around the center shaft thereof. A plurality of toothbrush furs (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e) which are arranged in regular group shapes are installed at several places on rotary toothbrush plates (4, 5). By varying plant-installation density, plant-installation height, or materials or strength of toothbrush firs (8), toothbrush furs (8) on rotary toothbrush plates (4, 5) generate a biased resistance between teeth upon brushing of teeth, and thus rotary toothbrush plates (4, 5) can be automatically rotated by generation of the biased resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Jung-Sik Roh
  • Publication number: 20030066145
    Abstract: In a first embodiment an electric toothbrush having a housing containing an electric motor, the motor being drivingly connected to a first brush head rotatably mounted on an end of the toothbrush remote from the motor and adjacent to at least one other rotatable brush head. In a second embodiment a packaged electric toothbrush including a “try me” facility for remotely testing the operation of the toothbrush, which “try me” feature comprises a two-sided metal strip such as aluminium foil, separated by a dielectric material, respective sides of the strip being connected at one end to respective parts used to operate the electric toothbrush and the other end of the strip being folded over and including a centrally disposed aperture onto which is a bendable metal connector such that upon bending or pressing of the connector the two sides of the strip are electrically connected together to temporarily operate the toothbrush whilst still in its packaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Frank J. Prineppi
  • Patent number: 6536066
    Abstract: Discloses a bristle head oscillation mechanism for an electrically driven toothbrush. A toothbrush bristle head is rotatably disposed at an end of an elongate housing. A drive shaft is rotatably disposed in the elongate housing and has an offset end coupled to one end of a pivot arm. The other end of the pivot arm is coupled to the toothbrush bristle head. Rotation of the drive shaft pivots the pivot arm to effect oscillation of the bristle head with respect to the elongate housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Pulse Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Dickie
  • Publication number: 20030051303
    Abstract: A car waxing machine with a driving handle comprises a car waxing machine and two pivotal handles. Each pivotal handle is a rod shape arm. The arm has a bent structure. Thereby, a rear section of the pivotal handle has a pivotal end and a front end thereof has an arm. By the arms of the two pivotal handles to be pivotally connected to two sides at the rear end of the car waxing machine, a structure with two arms at two sides which is rotatable for adjust the orientations of the arm is formed. Thereby, the arms are adjustable to horizontally extend to the two sides of the car waxing machine. Therefore, the user may adjust the arms to match the habits of using a car waxing machine and further forces can be uniformly applied to the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Shinn Fu Corporation
    Inventor: Victor Hung
  • Publication number: 20030041397
    Abstract: An electric dental care device with a care head 7 oscillatingly driven about a rotational axis DV powered by a rotating driving shaft 2. One end of driving shaft 2 has a driving element 17 disposed eccentrically to the rotational axis of the driving shaft 2. The driving element 17 engages a recess of a force converter to convert the rotational force of the driving element 17 into an oscillatory turning movement of the care head 7. The force converter comprises a gymballed conversion element 6 which engages and supports the driving element 17. The rotational axes DH, DV of the two gymbal bearings of the conversion element 6 are disposed to form a right. The conversion element 6 is swivellably supported by a mounting 8 about a first rotational axis DH. The mounting 8 is supported turnably about the second rotational axis DV and carries the care head 7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Klaus Hafemann